She is Chair of Citibank Australia, and sits on the boards of Virgin Australia, Transurban and Mirvac. She was the first woman appointed to the AFL Commission in 2005 where she served until 2017 after working on the development of AFLW, before joining the board of the Sydney Swans. Sam is Chair of Carriageworks, sits on the board of the Melbourne International Film Festival, and previously served on the Australia Council for the Arts and STC. She is a board member of the Centre for Policy Development, Climateworks Australia and the Foundation for Young Australians. She also chairs ANROWS, Australia’s leading body for evidence and research on the reduction of violence against women and their children.

Sam was a winner of the Board and Management category in the inaugural year of the 100 Women of Influence Awards.